Hello all, I'm completely new to this group and to boating in general.
Yesterday my wife and I visited the boat show at Excel in London and we
bought a Zodiac 260S inflatable together with a 4hp outboard. It's not
actually getting delivered until later this month. We intend to use it as
an added recreational facility when we are away with our caravan. It will
mostly be used on inland waterways plus (if we can pluck up the courage) on
the sea, but 'very' close to shore and around harbours etc.
I have some questions which, hopefully, someone can help with.
Do we need permission to launch the boat or can we just go ahead?
Are there launch fees involved?
What do we do about security? I'm imagining a scenario where we've motored
along, come to a nice stopping place - a village or such, and want to get
out and look around. How do we stop someone nicking the boat?
Apologies for such dumb questions - but there'll likely be more to follow.
Thanks in advance.

Sandy Morton wrote in message
...
In article , Landlubber
wrote:
I have some questions which, hopefully, someone can help with. Do
we need permission to launch the boat or can we just go ahead?

Normally just go ahead - parking the car might be a bigger problem.

Are
there launch fees involved?

Not in this area.

What do we do about security? I'm imagining a scenario where we've
motored along, come to a nice stopping place - a village or such,
and want to get out and look around.

Doubt if you'll travel far enough to worry but I have seen loads of
inflatables in Millport Bay seemingly abndoned - owners in the pub or
the chippy or with a bit of luck out on a bike.

How do we stop someone nicking the boat?

A long bicycle chain will normally suffice and you can usually find
something to fix it too.

Apologies for such dumb questions - but there'll likely be more to
follow.

We were all beginners once upon a time :-)

Thanks in advance.

Nae panic.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.sandymillport.fsnet.co.uk

On most inland waterways you will need a boat licence, similar to car tax.
There are usually two options: a visitors licence for a couple of weeks, or
a full year. For this you will need a Boat Safety Certificate.

Most inland waterways require a permit of some sort, but many do not require a safety certificate for open boats (eg the Thames).
Get insurance not only incase it is stolen but also chopping up a swimmer with your prop can be expensive.
make sure every one in the boat has a buoyancy aid, or life jacket.
I have an outboard lock, and a good quality chain type cycle lock.
Welcome to the world of boating hope you have as much fun as I have.

Tim 13/01/04 09:29:37

Sandy Morton wrote in message
...
In article , Landlubber
wrote:
I have some questions which, hopefully, someone can help with. Do
we need permission to launch the boat or can we just go ahead?

Normally just go ahead - parking the car might be a bigger problem.

Are
there launch fees involved?

Not in this area.

What do we do about security? I'm imagining a scenario where we've
motored along, come to a nice stopping place - a village or such,
and want to get out and look around.

Doubt if you'll travel far enough to worry but I have seen loads of
inflatables in Millport Bay seemingly abndoned - owners in the pub or
the chippy or with a bit of luck out on a bike.

How do we stop someone nicking the boat?

A long bicycle chain will normally suffice and you can usually find
something to fix it too.

Apologies for such dumb questions - but there'll likely be more to
follow.

We were all beginners once upon a time :-)

Thanks in advance.

Nae panic.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.sandymillport.fsnet.co.uk

On most inland waterways you will need a boat licence, similar to car tax.
There are usually two options: a visitors licence for a couple of weeks, or
a full year. For this you will need a Boat Safety Certificate.

"Tim Christian" wrote in message
...
On most inland waterways you will need a boat licence, similar to car tax.
There are usually two options: a visitors licence for a couple of weeks,
or
a full year. For this you will need a Boat Safety Certificate.

Thanks Tim, where would I get this licence?

"Nghost" wrote in message ...
Most inland waterways require a permit of some sort, but many do not
require a safety certificate for open boats (eg the Thames).
Get insurance not only incase it is stolen but also chopping up a swimmer
with your prop can be expensive.
make sure every one in the boat has a buoyancy aid, or life jacket.
I have an outboard lock, and a good quality chain type cycle lock.
Welcome to the world of boating hope you have as much fun as I have.

Thanks Nghost, it looks like insurance will be around £80 a year, but I've
loads more insurance sites to check yet. Re chopping up swimmers, I've seen
that happen in my days as a medic. Not nice, though the victim survived.
She'd been sitting on the prow of a boat, it hit a wave, she went over the
prow and the boat went over her.

"Sandy Morton" wrote in message
...
In article , Landlubber
wrote:
I have some questions which, hopefully, someone can help with. Do
we need permission to launch the boat or can we just go ahead?

Normally just go ahead - parking the car might be a bigger problem.
(snipped)

Thanks Sandy, Nice place Millport, I used to fish off the pier at Largs in
my younger days. Do they still run the 3 hour mackerel trips from Largs?

Sorry all, the 3 replies from Granny were mine - I forgot to change id.

In article , Granny
wrote:
Thanks Sandy, Nice place Millport, I used to fish off the pier at
Largs in my younger days. Do they still run the 3 hour mackerel
trips from Largs?

They run a 15 minuet ferry service to Cumbrae Slip - I don't think
they do fishing trips now.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.sandymillport.fsnet.co.uk